Agenda

RECOMMENDED that the minutes of the Special meeting held on 15 February 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Purpose of report

The Council is required by section 38(1) of the Localism Act 2011 (openess and accountability in local pay) to prepare a Pay Policy Statement. The Local Government Transparency Code 2014 further clarifies and describes the information and data local authorities are required to publish to increase democratic accountability.

A Pay Policy Statement must articulate the Council's policies towards a range of issues relating to the pay of its workforce, particularly its senior staff, Chief Officers and its lowest paid employees.

A Pay Policy Statement must be prepared for each financial year. It should be approved by Full Council no later than 31 March of each year, prior to the financial year to which it relates and be published on the council's website.

The Employment Committee is RECOMMENDED to approve the Pay Policy Statement attached as Appendix 1, to go forward for approval by the Full Council prior to 31 March 2023.

Purpose

To present the outcomes of the Gender Pay Gap 2022-23, ensuring the Council can fulfil its statutory obligations in respect of the Gender Pay Gap Information Regulations, and note the recommended action plan to build on the council's inclusive working practices, to continue to reduce the gap.

At Employment Committee on 4 December 2018, Members requested that additional data on the age breakdown be included in the Gender Pay Gap Report. The Gender Pay Gap report now includes a breakdown of the workforce profile by age, gender and whether full time or part time. Appendix 1 includes this additional information, as well as the statutory data that the Council is required to publish in accordance with the Gender Pay Gap Information Regulations.

It is RECOMMENDED that the Employment Committee:

1.    Note the key findings of the Gender Pay Gap Report 2022-23 (Appendix 1).

2.    Note the action plan as set out as item 8 in the Gender Pay Gap Report 2022-23 (Appendix 1).

Purpose of report

The purpose of this report is to update the Employment Committee about the levels and causes of sickness absence across the council and the actions being taken to improve attendance and promote employee health and wellbeing.

The Employment Committee is RECOMMENDED to:       

1.    Note the change in absence levels across the organisation.

2.    Note the levels and causes of sickness absence across the council and by directorate.

3.    Note the activities and interventions undertaken to support attendance.

Purpose of information report

To provide a greater level of detail to the Employment Committee regarding the health and safety training data provided within the 2021-22 Health and Safety Annual Report.

Purpose of information report

To advise members of the Committee of the revised member induction programme and the wider training offer for members in 2023-24.